Silent Fall (1994) User Reviews (34)

Not great, but worth a watch

[satterwh · 7/10 · 15 June 2001]

First, let's admit that we're not watching this to learn the medical characteristics of autism. The purpose of watching the film is for entertainment.

That said, this film held my attention. I *DID* figure it out shortly before the end and admit that the clues were there all the way through, some pretty strong. Personally, I think that's what makes a good mystery, that it *CAN* be figured out.

Performances: I always enjoy Richard Dreyfuss' work. While he has done better, he didn't disappoint me. John Lithgow was completely believable as always. The real star, though, was Ben Faulkner as Tim, the autistic boy. Ignoring the voice dubbing for the adults (part of the script), he did a wonderful job in a part that had to be difficult at best. I find it strange that this is the only acting job he held. Hopefully, it's because he decided that he wanted to be a kid rather than an actor. Hollywood's loss.

Suspense, intrigue and emotional relationship between autistic boy and psychiatrist

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 18 July 2008]

This genteel retelling and moving film starts with a double murder of a parents , being witnessed by autistic little boy son, named Tim Warden(Faulkner), he's overprotected by adolescent sister Sylvie(Liv Tyler). Retired therapist Jake(Richard Dreyfuss), married to good spouse(Linda Cameron), is reluctant to get involved, but he's deemed guilty because a little autistic in his care committed suicide, though he was acquitted . But when rival Dr. Harlinger(John Lighgow) is called instead, Jakes takes the little boy for learning. Traumatized Tim is a nine-years-old kid with damage psyche but plenty of extraordinaries faculties, as he imitates language of people. Jake whose patience and perseverance finally enable Tim to learn to communicate and resolve the murders.

The film depicts the unconventional method the psychiatrist used to help the autistic adjust to the world and shows the relationship that build between the two courageous starring. The dysfunctional and breakthrough relation among Tim and Jake carries strong emotional power and intense, moving experience. Actors interpretation is good, Richard Dreyfuss as affected and obstinate therapist, J. T. Walsh as sheriff that investigates the deeds and Liv Tyler and Faulkner in their film debut. Interesting script with a final full of lurid turns, red herrings and plot twists by Akiva Goldsman.Sensible and perceptible musical score by Stewart Copeland. Luxurious and colorful cinematography by cameraman Peter James.

The motion picture is professionally directed by Bruce Beresford. He's a cool Australian(Braker Morant)director, working in Hollywood and achieving hits(Double jeopardy,Crimes of the heart,Tender mercies), winning Academy Award (Driving Miss Daisy) and flops (King David ,Mister Johnson, Silent fall).

This movie was a real eye opener

[bobsagetsno1fan · 6/10 · 22 October 2004]

I never thought I'd find a movie about Autism so interesting. At first it wasn't what I'd expected. Going by the cover I'd imagined it was going to be very spooky. After about 5 minutes I wanted to turn it off, but I'm glad I sat through it. The story is about a murder, but starts out a little slow. Gradually it becomes more dramatic and thought provoking as it reaches the end. YOU'VE GOT TO WATCH THIS PICTURE THROUGH TO THE END. It will stay in your mind for a very long time. The little boy, (Tim) Ben Faulkner is a brilliant actor. I haven't been able to find him in another movie and I don't understand why.He's great!!!

At the very least I'd give this movie a 6.5/10.

GREAT FILM!!!!

[LondnRain6 · 16 June 2000]

This movie had it all...a chilling plot...great actors and superb conclusion...I was on pins and needles throughout the whole movie...I highly recommend this movie to anyone who is in for the most captivating movie ever...I give this movie 5 stars out of 4...

Above Average

[ResidentEvil2Fan · 6/10 · 29 April 2021]

It wasn't a terrible movie, as I've seen a lot worse movies than this movie, but it wasn't a great movie. The cast was great and played their parts perfectly, including JT Walsh, John Lithgow and Richard Dreyfus all putting in great performances.

What really hurt this movie was the addition of adult voice actors for Tim, the autistic boy. It was contrite and just plain stupid, and that trait could've been cut out completely . The unneeded profanity really hurt the product as well, especially from Tim. And plus, the whole seduction with Liv Tyler's character hitting on Richard Dreyfus' character was just dumb, and really offered nothing to the plot whatsoever.

If that stuff would've been written out or tied up a little better, this film was almost great and maybe could've been a box office smash instead of a box office dud.

Thinly written whodunit.

[gridoon · 6/10 · 11 May 2001]

This interesting psychological drama has a compelling first half, thanks to a solid cast (although Linda Hamilton and John Lithgow are wasted in worthless supporting roles) and handsome production. But the explanations become cliched in the second half, and the movie chooses the most predictable resolution available. It's such an obvious finale that (Warning:SPOILER) two of the characters discuss it and consider it in the first five minutes, so we, the viewers, expect something MUCH more unexpected and bizarre to happen at the end. This has its satisfying moments as a low-key drama (and Liv Tyler is astonishingly beautiful), but falls short as a whodunit. (**)

Would have been a big flop but for Richard Dreyfuss

[jai-s-kumar · 4/10 · 26 February 2015]

It is very clear right from the start who did the killings. because there is nobody else there. Why suspect only the boy and not the Girl is anybody's guess. There is no reason or logic for seducing the character of Richard Dreyfuss, Also there is no logic behind trying to kill him in the end.

Ordinary script brought to life by the brilliant acting of Richard Dreyfuss.

But for him the movie would have been a complete waste of time. If you like Richard Dreyfuss then this movie should not be missed. There is no mystery in the movie, As the logical conclusion of who the killer can be arrived in about first quarter of the film.

Average but amusing

[bsinc · 6/10 · 14 August 2003]

I really have to commend Bruce Beresford for his directing abilities because his movies (the ones I've seen so far) are always entertaining no matter what they're about. This one is no different. A very solid cast makes it enjoyable when it could have easily been just another TV movie with a bunch of unknown actors. And here lies the problem; "Silent Fall" doesn't aim high enough and doesn't realize its potential, while with its stellar cast and perhaps a plot and a twist that would actually make the viewer think, it could have been big, since the predictability of it all is almost offensive.

The daughter just had to try to kill the shrink in the end just to make the viewer feel less sorry for the kid for losing his sister too.

A solid, yet somehow disappointing "mystery" thriller with some nice moments and a good sense of pace. Plus it's the first movie attempt by the sexy Liv Tyler who always makes me want to be the lipstick on her upper lip.6/10

Disappointing

[doneil4 · 3/10 · 5 August 2020]

I don't take joy in writing negative reviews, especially for films I thought I would be doing the opposite for. I'm a big fan of Richard Dreyfuss' work, as he stars in my all time favourite movie, Close Encounters of the Third Kind. So it was only natural when I heard about this film I was rather intrigued. And of course as well as Dreyfuss there's an all star cast of Linda Hamilton, John Lithgow, Liv Tyler and JT Walsh. I even watched the trailer and I thought it looked good. I wasn't able to buy the film on DVD in Region 2 (UK) so I had to buy the Region 1 addition, luckily I have a multi regional DVD player.

But sadly, it wasn't worth the hassle. Silent Fall was very disappointing. I didn't like the style it was filmed in, the way the story folded and John Lithgow being in this movie may as well have been classed as a Cameo. Linda Hamilton's role is nothing to get excited about as her character hardly has any purpose or screen time. It doesn't even feel like a theatrical movie. I felt like I was watching something made for the Hallmark channel.

It's a shame really because the plot of this film actually has potential to become a good story (take away the obvious twist and the whole voice mimicking stuff). If this project was handled better, and better use of the supporting actors, this could have gone on to become a really good film.

And then there's Liv Tyler's debut. Don't get too excited over that either. I think anyone watching her in this will be in for a shock. It's safe to say she must have took up some intense acting lessons after filming this.

But let's end this on a slightly positive note. Richard Dreyfuss still did a good job. Far from his best performance, but enough that stopped me from switching this off halfway through. I guess the script just fell in the wrong hands with this one.

Using autistic children to solve a crime is an unique experience

[jordondave-28085 · 7/10 · 15 May 2023]

(1994) Silent Fall PSYCHOLOGICAL MYSTERY

Parents are found dead with the only survivors found are their two kids who are the older teenage daughter Sylvie played by Liv Tyler and her 7 or 8 year old autistic son Tim(Ben Faulkner). Here comes criminal psychologist Dr. Jake Rainer (Richard Dreyfuss) who has a PHd in dealing with mentally challenged children and is supposed to be retired but one his best friends Sheriff Mitch Rivers ( J. T. Walsh ) encourages his social skills to help him solve it by helping Tim to recall the events that lead up to their parents death since he may have been a witness for the whole ordeal. And because he's like 100% autistic, Dr. Jake is the only person who can expose this by reasonable means instead of using drugs and other experimental tactics used by his radical associate Dr. Rene Harlinger played by John Lithgow.

I was totally sucked up to this movie because their isn't many films that focuses on "autistic" children to solve a case, for I think this film is the first. The procedures for which this film has showed is at times quite enlightening since we the viewers may have suspect who had done it, but at the same time don't quite know how it's done until the very end. The movie also stars Linda Hamilton as Karen Rainer as Jake's wife.

A total waste of talent ... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[merklekranz · 1/10 · 2 March 2010]

After reviewing over 400 films, I have reached the point where bad really stands out, and "Silent Fall" is really bad. It totally wastes three good actors, Richard Dreyfuss, J.T. Walsh, and John Lithgow, while Linda Hamilton and Liv Tyler are downright forgettable. The script is such contrived nonsense, that the phrase beyond ridiculous comes to mind. The movie spends most of it's time setting up some unbelievably contrived scenes, like the one in the outdoor restaurant. It's really a shame that fine actors have to be trapped in such a horrendous script, that is devoid of any entertainment value. Believe me when I tell you that "Silent Fall" is bad !!!!!!! - MERK

Very Intriguing.......

[highflying_falcon · 10/10 · 4 April 2005]

This film has received very little recognition and I guess that is why I never heard of it till I saw it despite the fact that it had quite a few big stars in it.

Liv Tyler stars in one of earliest film roles in this movie and has made quite an impression, which is no wonder why she is as famous as she is now.

Judging by the name I thought that this was a thriller or horror movie, however I was pleasantly surprised by the plot and the depth of the story. Autism isn't something that we are all familiar with but like "Mercury Rising" this film shows the audience what autism can seriously do to those unfortunate enough to live with it.

A murder mystery and drama this film does start out slow but do not hesitate because it does eventually become quite intriguing to watch just how the story unfolds, so if anyone likes a good mystery detective movie this is the one for you.

You can do much worse than watching this...

[Fast Eddie · 7/10 · 5 May 2000]

Okay, it will never make it into my list of masterpieces, maybe it won't even make it in the "really good movies", but stay assured you'll have a pretty good time watching this, provided that you accept the slaughtering of realism for the sake of a good-conceived story. Right, authistic people are not like Tim. And right, miss Tyler is much more beautiful than good-acting. But the story is interesting, entertaining at times, and thanks to its lack of realism in dealing with authism, can reach a "happy" ending without resorting to any Deus Ex Machina. And that, in today's US thrillers, is really a lot.

Great cast wasted in what can only be called a horrible movie.

[bopdog · 3/10 · 26 May 2002]

This movie is not good. But the cast is so good, and so compelling, that the movie is a bit more watchable than it really is. That is, Richard Dreyfuss and Liv Tyler have such charisma, general movie sympathy-vibes, and magnetism that even though they are in a bad movie, it is not totally excruciating to see them on the screen.

The movie is one of those thriller jobs where supposedly "real" psychological conditions of some of the characters play a role. As with many movies employing such a theatrical device, the glib Movie-Land behaviors exhibited by the supposed 7 year-old autistic child in the film don't resemble genuine kids afflicted with genuine disabilities so much as the behaviors resemble cartoonish soap-opera conveniences. Viewers could be reminded of Ed Norton's brilliant performance in "The Score," where the actor portrays a character who fakes mental retardation, and then flips back and forth between the fake put-on afflicted behaviors and the real criminal's behaviors throughout the film as part of the film's narrative development. Something about Norton's great work there somehow highlighted most other Movie-Land characters with mental problems as a cheapo Hollywood trick, used as a melodramatic gag when real inspiration has fled. Anyway--- the kid here was annoyingly corny as he did what can only be described as a "stand up" imitation of of a cliche.

Overall, great folks in a horrible movie. It happens sometimes. Forgive Dreyfuss and forgive Tyler--- they did go on to do better and much more real roles later on. I gave this a 3 out of 10, because of those two actors and their inherent screen presence. Otherwise, this turkey deserved the lowest possible rating.

Good Movie

[Cynder · 30 May 1999]

I had many doubts about viewing this film after all the negative reviews that it was given. But I was intrigued by the story line and I did not want this movie to end. I found it to be filled with suspense, and it sure kept me guessing. And it was a delight to see newcomer Liv Tyler do a great job.

I would recommend this film, but then everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Very Good Doctor Rainer and Very Good Doctor Harlinger

[nelliebell-1 · 7/10 · 5 April 2008]

There is a difficulty in allowing for the motion picture to represent much of anything let alone something as involved as a study in the problems of an disabled childhood brought on by Autism.The picture the silent fall does involve and ultimately provide somewhat of an attempt to look at a developmental disorder called Autism.It is not entirely unworthy a look at however that is do mostly to the fact that this is presented as a motion picture and not as a study of the disorder per se.The other element to this otherwise engaging film is that there exists a very gruesome find of a double murder,the parents to a autistic child have been murdered in there home with the young autistic child named Tim being a witness to the double murder.It is also worth noting that a short while after the discovery of the double murder we discover a daughter,tall though only 18 years old appears to be covered in blood crouched in a corner of a closet.It is the young boy who gets our attention very early on and to a degree serves as almost a mis-direction.He has a huge Kitchen knife and like the scene is as well covered in blood while all the while sounding very unintelligible and providing a very near threatening though incoherent picture of this traumatic event.The Sheriff sends Dr.Rainer a message through a deputy with a call for help with the added incentive,"you owe me one". Dr. Rainer played by Richard Dreyfus is reluctant though he bares witness to the sciences with a noticeable care given this demanding scene which he is called in to if you will deal with.He does deal with the scene and provides something of a rescue for there is no telling just what may of been in store for the child had not this noted childhood practitioner not been so well situated and as well so very much accomplished in childhood developmental disorders.The Mis-direction as suggested earlier was that the Law asked the question could the young boy have committed this crime,this may of been a bit of a mis-direction however the tumult,that is the asking of the question was brought about by the degree of difficulty the knife played in the very early going.The child actually did pose a threat though Doctor Rainer as explained did diffuse the confused youngster.The story is involved and presents an increasing involvement as there is the demand made to get to the childs ability to reveal what he saw or what he heard.It is the daughter who is not questioned as the crime may of required though I suspect it was due to the subject matter that evolves finally into a very near death experience for Doctor Rainer and a worthwhile climax.This is in fact a story that has the propensity to keep your attention and with subtly open,by way of a right of discovery find a problem that though not anywhere to be found it unlocks a very real entanglement.This film does possess a unsettling premise and it will further provide more of the same in its conclusion.The value though to all is that neither the young boy nor the girl are damaged beyond redemption with a very real credit hereby awarded Dr.Rainer for courage and belief as his experience paid off with the saving of perhaps as many as two souls.The young girl and the autistic child,but perhaps mostly Tim have someone to thank and that is Dr. Rainer.I might suggest that this film provides a good story telling ability,which it does however it is not only in its story telling ability that there is something to champion.The champion here is the care that is given and what that means as the young boy is as good to the Doctor as the Doctor is as good to young boy.A credible account is agreed to and that is worth a honorable mention.The story is as well not without intrigue and lesser discoveries all along the way however there is a near miss with disaster that make special mention of the accomplishment with which this review felt necessitated an award for Doctor Rainer.A useful film,interesting storytelling and not an entirely predictable storyline add up to worthwhile viewing.

Interesting Enough

[payasoingenioso · 6/10 · 30 January 2021]

The Impressionist Child is quite extra.

I do not appreciate how characters keep calling humans with autism Autistics.

Meanwhile, the cast is great, and the mystery was interesting enough to keep me watching.

Ridiculous!

[JJTTbean · 1/10 · 27 March 1999]

Richard Dreyfuss is acting challenged. Liv Tyler fails in her very first attempt to act at all. Thank goodness she's had acting lessons since. Too bad Richard Dreyfuss hasn't.

Ridiculous voice-overs for the 9 year old autistic who supposedly "imitates" adult voices. I can't even go on about how stupid and contrived this film was. Why must we be subjected to the horrendous movies from Hollywood?

One day, films won't be released unless they've passed an audience approval. Until then, I'll be watching the only good movie left: Rocky Horror Picture Show. (HAha!)

Is Autism Curable?

[boblipton · 6/10 · 30 March 2024]

Psychiatrist Richard Dreyfus is called in when two of his neighbors are murdered and the only witness is their autistic son.

It's a murder mystery and an exploration of autism highlighted by a good cast, including Linda Hamilton, J. T. Walsh, John Lithgow, and Liv Tyler in her screen debut. As a murder mystery, it's a good one. As a study in autism, not so much. It seems to think that autism is a curable condition, one that is trauma-based, and that the occasional extraordinary individual on the autism-Asperger spectrum is the norm. Hollywood has a tendency to exalt what used to be called the idiot savant, from RAIN MAN to THE ACCOUNTANT. Bruce Beresford's movie from a script by Akiva Goldsman doesn't go quite that far, but with an autistic family member, I find its handling as being more for entertainment that serious comment, and therefore annoying. Your Mileage May Vary.

This film is to the Autistic like an episode of "Amos and Andy" is to African-Americans.

[pluto-11 · 4/10 · 20 August 2000]

I usually do not take the time to comment on a bad film, but not only do I think this piece is a lame movie which is a waste of time and money - I also regard it as a slap in the face of people afflicted with autism and their families. This film seems to say that autism is something that a little therapy can cure. This is not an example of artistic license: it is an insult to the thousands of sufferers and their families.

That bit of folderol aside, the film is still dreadful. The acting is ludicrous and the plot contrived. As for the acting, Liv Tyler can be excused as this was her first attempt and she has improved over time. As for Richard Dreyfuss, he is an intelligent person and has shown fine acting talent in his other works... perhaps at some point he realized how awful this picture was (not to mention ludicrous) and could not put a full measure into the part? Or maybe he needed the cash?

Overwrought screenplay, but chilly visuals abound

[drownsoda90 · 6/10 · 30 October 2023]

"Silent Fall" focuses on a psychologist (Richard Dreyfuss) attempting to unravel the double murder of a husband and a wife. Their young, nonverbal autistic son is the only potential witness.

This sometimes clunky psychological thriller is relayed in the way of a number of mid-'90s thrillers, but to often lesser effect. The script suffers from unrealistic, talky dialogue, and the plot is fairly routine, even for the era in which it was made. While these lesser elements do detract from what the film could have been, it does benefit from a significant lush, chilly autumn atmosphere, and the Halloweentime atmosphere is laid on thick.

The performances here range from serviceable to middling at best, though it is at times difficult to discern whether or not the script is at fault. Dreyfuss handles the material the best he can, while Linda Hamilton unfortunately comes across as wooden and unbelievable. Liv Tyler, in her screen debut here as the autistic boy's protective older sister, gives a decent performance for an inexperienced actress.

The film's final reveal is grotesque if not particularly shocking, but serves as a fitting conclusion to the proceedings. All in all, "Silent Fall" is a middling (at best) psychological thriller. It suffers from a clunky screenplay and trite dialogue, though it is worth viewing for its stark autumnal atmosphere and cinematography. A visual treat; a narrative, perhaps not so much. 6/10.

Nice Dreyfuss--Horrid Movie

[GTWL4 · 2/10 · 2 September 2001]

Richard Dreyfuss portrays an unhappy doctor. After losing a young patient and blaming himself--he decided to no longer work with children. Then he meets "Tim," an autistic child, who lost both of his parents--to homicide. Tim's teen-aged sister insists that she is the only person on earth capable of caring for him, but Dreyfuss' character has been persuaded to work with Tim, alone.

To me, this story was as close to a horror flick as a Richard Dreyfuss movie could be. I found it to be disturbing 80% of the time. If you like disturbing movies, see it--but after the kids are safely tucked in.

I like the mystery music of Silent Fall.

[georgina-elizondo · 9/10 · 16 March 2006]

I like mystery tales, and this one is very good. The music is very accurate with all the scenes, and yes, I feel transported to this inner boy world. Very Strange Things happen in this movie, but yes, I think kind of things like this happen in reality, even worst. At least in Mexico all the time happens wild things with people more than in nature by itself. The actors plays their roles very well. Since long time ago, I didn't see Richard Dreyfuss, and was a pleasure for me, to see this actor again. Linda Hamilton had a very short role, but Liv Tyler is awesome. Maybe sometimes sounds like illogical, specially when the witness boy, make all this voices. Looks like unreal, but maybe this could happen. Anyway, I found this movie, because I'm always looking for Stewart Copeland music, since many years ago...

It's a trashy 90s thriller with autism used as a cheap gimmick, of course it's trash (albeit well-made trash)

[IonicBreezeMachine · 4/10 · 12 December 2022]

Dr. Jake Rainer (Richard Dreyfus) is a therapist who left behind his practice of child psychology following the accidental drowning of one of his patients. Jake's friend Sheriff Mitch Rivers (J. T. Walsh) calls in a favor from Jake after a murder scene wherein husband and wife Fred and Sarah Warden are brutally murdered in their home with the only witness being the warden's young autistic son Tim (Ben Faulkner) and the Warden's teenage daughter Sylvie (Liv Tyler) who didn't get a good look at the killer. Jake reluctantly takes on the challenging of working with Tim seeking to unlock the truth of the murder.

Silent Fall is a 1994 psychological dramatic thriller that was one of a number of mid budgeted adult skewing thrillers that were produced during the decade (think Pacific Heights, Malice, etc.). The Akiva Goldsman scripted film written under the initial title of Indian Summer was purchased by Morgan Creek for $500,000 and was tailored as a vehicle for Richard Dreyfus. Released in October of 1994, the film was a box office disaster opening at 10th place behind several holdovers as well as the opening weekend of Stargate and was pulled from theaters after two weeks making only $3 million against its estimated $30 million budget. Critical reception tended to skew negative with many critics scathing in the film's usage of autism as well as the trashiness with which the film played its subject matter. All these year's later Silent Fall is well-made, but underneath the polish is something trashy, stupid, and bereft of good taste.

I'll say this for Silent Fall: it's directed with a keen eye by Driving Miss Daisy director Bruce Beresford so it has a sleek look when it comes to capturing the mood and atmosphere of its New England setting. I'll also say that with a cast that includes the likes of Richard Dreyfus, Linda Hamilton, John Lithgow, and Liv Tyler in her feature debut you're never bored while watching the film (even if your focus isn't anywhere near the filmmakers' target). The main problem with Silent Fall lies in its premise as it's a not particularly substantive or interesting thriller that is held together by the dated and at points rather ridiculous portrayal of autism with Ben Faulkner's take on Tim Warden basically a fun house mirror depiction of the worst aspects of the most extreme cases of autism with a scene featuring several autistic children more or less the same as Tim that feels very "gawking" in its handling of this material. But not content with trivializing autism in the same manner a carnival sideshow trivializes physical deformity, Silent Fall dives into lurid territory it's not properly prepared to deal with as we get a third act reveal that is tasteless on several levels and is used only for shock value.

Silent Fall is the prime example of "polishing a turd" as we have proven talents like Richard Dreyfus, J. T. Walsh, Linda Hamilton and John Lithgow (the latter two wasted in paper thin roles that could've easily been written out) and they're all in service of a script that is the worst aspects of 90s thriller filmmaking coupled with the worst aspects of 90s understanding of autism. I guess if you're in the mood for a bad taste trainwreck this'll fit the bill, but anyone else should keep a distance of five feet at minimum.

Walking on thin ice.

[dbdumonteil · 22 October 2003]

Although it insists on intellectual details about autism ,"silent fall" is a thriller as well as a -not very surprising- whodunit,no more no less.Autism replaces amnesia which is generally THE disease we find in this kind of movie which was not born yesterday (see Hitchcock's " spellbound" )The first part is more satisfying ,and even sometimes intriguing and the relationship shrink/child is not unlike that of "the sixth sense" (1999).Liv Tyler is less decorative than usual .But there are a lot of clichés :good shrink (Dreyfuss) / bad shrink,ponderous symbolism ( the boy cannot stand "round" things,hence his distaste for peas:you will find out why,do not worry),shrink's own story -his wife hints at a certain Billy,a former patient who committed suicide ,another similarity with "the sixth sense"-,and the cop"s love affair..

The shrink knows he's walking on thin ice both literally and figuratively.They could have edited out the last sequence ,probably so-called symbolic, but actually witless .